Musings on a Life in the Theatre, Tablet PC's, Cultural Issues, (oh, and the occasional emu sighting...)

July 15, 2013

Great Opening, Amazing Party, and Now We Move On

Call
it a wake, call it a send off, call it whatever you wish to, but last
night's opening night of Boeing Boeing at Wayside Theatre was, even with
all of the emotions surrounding my departure, one that those who were
there, in body or in spirit, will remember for some time to come.

It was indeed a night filled with emotions. Long time Wayside Theatre stalwart Cephe Place received recognition for
her amazing service to the organization by being honored with a Leo
Award. Saying that honor was well deserved is an understatement to end
all understatements. Before the show the many friends who came to the
see my last opening night at Wayside Theatre brought treasured memories
with them to this special night.

But, most importantly, the
amazing cast of Boeing Boeing, (Leslie Putnam, Don Denton, Dan
Westbrook, Shirley Proctor, Theresa McQuirk, and Karen O'Connell,) took
the stage, whipped the audience into a frenzy of laughter, and brought
the focus right back to where it should be: on the show and the amazing
work within.

If the show biz maxim, "always leave 'em
laughing" is true, that cast certainly took that to a new level last
night. I have to tell you watching them perform this insane farce with
such amazing skill and polish was a great "final opening" for me to
remember. I'll treasure it always.

Quite a few folks remarked
that it was one of the best shows I've directed at Wayside in quite some
time. My response was, well, when all you have to do is focus on the
directing of a show, instead of the many gazillion other things that my
previous job entailed, well... you get the picture. Maybe that should be
a lesson for someone. Hmm?

Thomasin and I were delighted to be
surrounded by so many wonderful friends and great colleagues who have
helped make our life at Wayside Theatre worthwhile these past years.
Seeing each one before or after the show brought back such a rush of
memories it almost became overwhelming. Those who made it last night and
those who couldn't (because many of them are working! Yea!) please know
that you have left an indelible mark on that tiny stage and also with
me. We'll do it again sometime, on some other stage, but, in the
meantime, we all share the specialness that were those years at Wayside
Theatre.

So many words, so many memories came flooding out in the after parties (I think one may still be going on someplace). Vaughn Irving,
who has his own show going up in the DC Fringe fest touched Thomasin
and I tremendously with his words. But, then what would you expect from
someone who is playing Disco Jesus. But Vaughn wasn't and isn't alone.
This Wayside Family that did amazing things in some of the most
challenging circumstances anyone can face is spread all over this biz.
They are all doing what they were born to do, which is, for a few brief
moments, brighten the lives of others with their artistry and talent.

Lord knows, they certainly have brightened mine. For that I will always be grateful for all we have shared.

Comments

Great Opening, Amazing Party, and Now We Move On

Call
it a wake, call it a send off, call it whatever you wish to, but last
night's opening night of Boeing Boeing at Wayside Theatre was, even with
all of the emotions surrounding my departure, one that those who were
there, in body or in spirit, will remember for some time to come.

It was indeed a night filled with emotions. Long time Wayside Theatre stalwart Cephe Place received recognition for
her amazing service to the organization by being honored with a Leo
Award. Saying that honor was well deserved is an understatement to end
all understatements. Before the show the many friends who came to the
see my last opening night at Wayside Theatre brought treasured memories
with them to this special night.

But, most importantly, the
amazing cast of Boeing Boeing, (Leslie Putnam, Don Denton, Dan
Westbrook, Shirley Proctor, Theresa McQuirk, and Karen O'Connell,) took
the stage, whipped the audience into a frenzy of laughter, and brought
the focus right back to where it should be: on the show and the amazing
work within.

If the show biz maxim, "always leave 'em
laughing" is true, that cast certainly took that to a new level last
night. I have to tell you watching them perform this insane farce with
such amazing skill and polish was a great "final opening" for me to
remember. I'll treasure it always.

Quite a few folks remarked
that it was one of the best shows I've directed at Wayside in quite some
time. My response was, well, when all you have to do is focus on the
directing of a show, instead of the many gazillion other things that my
previous job entailed, well... you get the picture. Maybe that should be
a lesson for someone. Hmm?

Thomasin and I were delighted to be
surrounded by so many wonderful friends and great colleagues who have
helped make our life at Wayside Theatre worthwhile these past years.
Seeing each one before or after the show brought back such a rush of
memories it almost became overwhelming. Those who made it last night and
those who couldn't (because many of them are working! Yea!) please know
that you have left an indelible mark on that tiny stage and also with
me. We'll do it again sometime, on some other stage, but, in the
meantime, we all share the specialness that were those years at Wayside
Theatre.

So many words, so many memories came flooding out in the after parties (I think one may still be going on someplace). Vaughn Irving,
who has his own show going up in the DC Fringe fest touched Thomasin
and I tremendously with his words. But, then what would you expect from
someone who is playing Disco Jesus. But Vaughn wasn't and isn't alone.
This Wayside Family that did amazing things in some of the most
challenging circumstances anyone can face is spread all over this biz.
They are all doing what they were born to do, which is, for a few brief
moments, brighten the lives of others with their artistry and talent.

Lord knows, they certainly have brightened mine. For that I will always be grateful for all we have shared.